Canleo Alvarez vs Terence Crawford: A dive into the championship legacy, records, and career milestones that define two of boxing’s greats!
The boxing world has given fans legendary fighters who climb through weight classes collecting belts. Two modern titans stand above the rest. Canelo Alvarez and Terence Crawford have dominated boxing for years with their unique styles and impressive championship runs.
Both fighters have written their names in boxing history through determination and skill. They have conquered multiple weight divisions and collected an impressive array of championship belts. While they compete in different weight classes and haven’t faced each other in the ring, comparing their accomplishments reveals insights about their respective boxing journeys.
Also Read: Canelo Alvarez To Face Terence Crawford In Highly Anticipated Showdown On September 12
Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez started his professional career incredibly young at just 15 years old. By 20, he became the youngest WBC light middleweight champion in history. His rise through boxing’s ranks has been nothing short of phenomenal. The red-haired Mexican fighter has built a career defined by consistency and continual improvement.
Canelo’s championship collection is staggering. He has won world titles across four weight divisions: light middleweight, middleweight, super middleweight, and light heavyweight. His most impressive achievement came in 2021 when he made history as the first boxer ever to become undisputed super middleweight champion by holding all four major belts (WBA, WBC, WBO, and IBF) simultaneously. He recently reclaimed his status as undisputed super middleweight champion in May 2025 after defeating William Scull.
What makes Canelo’s record even more impressive is how he has handled setbacks. After suffering his first defeat to Floyd Mayweather Jr. in 2013, he bounced back stronger. He did the same after losing to the now undisputed light heavyweight champion Dmitry Bivol. His victories over elite champions like Miguel Cotto, Gennady Golovkin, Callum Smith, Billy Joe Saunders, and Caleb Plant demonstrate his ability to adapt and overcome diverse boxing styles. Canelo’s devastating body punching, matrix like head movement and excellent counterpunching have become his trademarks in the ring.
His record now stands at 63-2-2 with 39 of those wins coming by way of KO.
Terence Crawford is known for his technical precision and adaptability. The Omaha native has quietly built one of boxing’s most impressive resumes. Crawford’s ring IQ allows him to read opponents quickly and adjust his approach mid-fight. This is a rare quality that sets elite fighters apart.
His championship journey spans four weight classes: lightweight, light welterweight, welterweight, and light middleweight. His accomplishments include becoming undisputed champion in two weight classes. This an incredibly rare feat achieved by only three male boxers in the four-belt era (him, Naoya Inoue and Oleksandr Usyk). Crawford first achieved undisputed status at light welterweight in 2017, becoming the first undisputed champion in any weight class since Jermain Taylor in 2005.
His biggest career moment came in 2023 when he dominated previously undefeated Errol Spence Jr. to become the undisputed welterweight champion. This victory silenced critics who claimed Crawford hadn’t faced elite competition. His ability to switch between orthodox and southpaw stances seamlessly confuses opponents and creates unique offensive angles. Crawford currently holds both the WBA and interim WBO light middleweight titles, showing his dominance continues as he moves up in weight.
His record now stands at an undefeated 41-0 with 31 of those wins coming by way of KO.
When comparing these boxing greats, several metrics help determine who holds the statistical edge. In terms of world championships, both fighters have claimed titles in four weight divisions. However, Crawford holds a slight advantage in becoming undisputed champion in two weight classes (light welterweight and welterweight), while Canelo has been undisputed only in the super middleweight division.
Recognition from boxing authorities gives Crawford an edge in pound-for-pound rankings. As of January 2025, Crawford ranks first according to the BWAA, while Canelo has slipped in recent rankings following his 2022 loss to Dmitry Bivol. Crawford also boasts an undefeated record, something Canelo lost early in his career to Mayweather. Canelo meanwhile has faced more former or current world champions than Crawford. Though critics note Crawford’s opposition quality has improved dramatically in recent years.
The truth is both fighters represent different paths to boxing greatness. Canelo began professionally as a teenager and built his legacy through volume and consistent improvement. Crawford developed more methodically, perfecting his craft before achieving his biggest wins later in his career. The journey of these two boxing greats cannot be compared. Fans will have to wait for September 12th to find out if which one of these legends comes out on top!
(Image Credit: HappyPunch – X)
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